How to Play Blackjack

If you want to learn how to play blackjack then you have come to the right place. Blackjack is a simple gambling card game that can be easily learned. Blackjack is played by millions of gamblers online as well as in live casinos. The rules of blackjack are the same both online and off.

When you are learning how to play blackjack the first thing that you need to understand is the objective of the game. In order to win you must obtain a hand of cards with a higher value than the blackjack dealer’s hand without breaking 21. Breaking 21 is known as busting. If you bust, you lose. Hand values are determined by adding together the cards in your hand. Numbered cards are worth their face value (i.e. a 5 card is worth 5 points); Jacks, Queens and Kings are worth 10 points each; and Aces are worth 1 point or 11 points, whichever is better for your hand.

The game of blackjack begins with players placing bets, if they are playing for real money. You may also practice for free online with play money bets. Then the dealer gives each player 2 cards, face up. The dealer takes 2 cards as well but only one is exposed. Based on the exposed card players choose to stay with their 2-card hand or “hit” and accept additional cards to increase the value of their hand. Once players are satisfied with their hands the dealer exposes his own hand. If his hand value is less than 17 he must hit. At the end of the game, players that beat the dealer are paid and players that lose must pay the dealer.

Now that you understand the basic rules of how to play blackjack you can practice, learn about blackjack strategy and improve your blackjack skills.